Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

From Chongshan Town to the Sky Blue Sword Sect, and then from the Sky Blue Sword Sect to the Tenglong Guard, Yang Zhenshan made sure to leave Spiritual Spring Water behind.

The Spiritual Spring Water is indeed the best gift Yang Zhenshan could offer them.

With this Spiritual Spring Water, Chongshan Town could train tens of thousands of elite troops, numerous talents would emerge within the Sky Blue Sword Sect, and the Tenglong Guard would also see the rise of many talented Martial Artists.

...

On the 7th day of the eighth lunar month.

Yang Zhenshan and his entourage finally returned to the Capital City.

The Capital City was still the same, bustling and prosperous.

Upon returning home, everything was as it had always been, with the family enjoying lively gatherings.

In the main hall of the rear courtyard.

"Dad, Mom, Chengxian is married now, this is Ms. Zhu!" Ms. Wang said with a beaming smile, introducing Yang Chengxian's young wife.

Yang Chengxian's wedding was set for June, at a time when Yang Zhenshan had not yet returned to Chongshan Pass.

"Granddaughter-in-law pays her respects to grandfather and grandmother!" Ms. Zhu courteously bowed before them.

Yu Qingyi said with a gentle smile, "Rise, our family doesn't stand much on ceremony!"

"Thank you, grandfather and grandmother!" Ms. Zhu stood up, her demeanor somewhat restrained.

Yang Zhenshan had met Zhu Mingqiu; after all, it was he who had arranged their marriage.

Yet the timing of their wedding was somewhat inappropriate; it was one thing for Yang Zhenshan and Yu Qingyi to be away from home, but even Yang Mingzhi and the Li family, the in-laws, were not at home.

When Yang Chengmao got married, the Li family returned to the Capital City.

But during Yang Chengxian's marriage, as Yang Mingzhi was leading troops abroad and the Li family had to manage the household in Fuzhou City, they couldn't come back.

Therefore, at their wedding, the family elders present were only Ming Cheng and Ms. Wang, the uncle and aunt.

Yu Qingyi signaled Qingxia with her eyes, who immediately brought out two brocade boxes.

"This is from your mother-in-law, take it!"

Yu Qingyi opened a brocade box, which contained a set of dazzling gold-thread weaved plum blossom-patterned pearl head ornaments.

"This is from me!"

Yu Qingyi then opened the other brocade box, which was one foot long and filled with small porcelain bottles, a total of twelve bottles of Elixir.

"Everyone in the Yang family practices Martial Arts, and daughters-in-law as well as granddaughters-in-law are no exception. You must also work hard in your cultivation; these Elixirs will help you in your training!"

Zhu Mingqiu received the two brocade boxes, then handed them to the maid behind her, saying, "Thank you for the gifts, grandmother!"

With two presents in hand, her expression was no longer as tense, and she felt more joyous.

The joy was not due to the gifts, but rather because of Yu Qingyi's demeanor.

A new bride always worries about not being liked by her in-laws.

Even though Yang Chengxian had told her about the Yang family's attitudes, she still had her concerns.

Now, Yu Qingyi's demeanor was enough to show her attitude towards her, which considerably eased her mind.

Compared to Yu Qingyi's gifts, Yang Zhenshan's gifts seemed rather modest; there was no helping it, as the bride had already been given gifts, so all he could present were some pieces of jade.

These were top-grade white jades from Yemi City, and although they seemed plainer, they were also quite valuable.

After the new bride had been presented with gifts, the various grandchildren of the Yang family also came forward to give their respects.

In the evening, the Yang family held a lively family banquet.

During the banquet, Yang Zhenshan laughed heartily as he watched his robust great-grandson eager to pour wine for him.

"Good great-grandson, have you been attending school properly these past few months?"

He held Yang Qinyuan in his arms and asked.

Yang Qinyuan, five years old this year, looked just like Yang Chengye did at his age, "Great-grandpa, I have been studying hard!"

"Oh? What has your teacher taught you?" asked Yang Zhenshan.

Yang Qinyuan said with pride, "The Thousand Character Classic, the teacher also praised my writing!"

Ms. Wang chimed in, "Qinyuan's handwriting is neat and tidy, better than his grandfather's even!"

She looked at Yang Qinyuan adoringly, as he was her eldest grandson who she dearly cherished.

Yang Zhenshan glared at her, "Did I ask you to speak? Better than Ming Cheng's handwriting, do you even believe what you're saying?"

Yang Mingcheng, of course, was not considered a scholarly person, but he could read and write, and as a Martial Artist, his forceful wrist gave his characters a strong and powerful look, full of vigor.

"Saying that Qinyuan, a five-year-old child, writes better than Yang Mingcheng, isn't that nonsense?"

"Too much maternal love spoils a child, and although Ms. Wang never coddled Yang Chengye, she became somewhat overindulgent with Yang Qinyuan."

"Perhaps it's because of the special affection for a grandson from an earlier generation, or maybe it's because the Yang family has grown wealthy; in any case, Ms. Wang now somewhat can't stand to see her eldest grandson suffer."

Upon hearing Yang Zhenshan's reprimand, Ms. Wang's smiling face suddenly stiffened, and with an embarrassed retraction of her neck, her plump face appeared somewhat comical.

"Dad, it was my mistake!"

Yang Zhenshan withdrew his gaze and turned to smile affectionately at Qinyuan, "Qinyuan is diligent in his studies and has earned praise from his tutor; your great-grandfather should also reward you."

Children need to be properly nurtured and not spoiled into wastrels.

Yang Zhenshan's proudest achievement is that each of the grandchildren in the Yang family is outstanding in their own way. Some are reserved, some are playful, some are noisy, some are unconventional, but each one knows to work hard, to study literature and practice martial arts, without lagging behind.

Even the troublemakers like Yang Chengzhang and Yang Chengyou have not neglected their martial arts.

As for studying literature, Yang Zhenshan's demands have always been modest. He doesn't need the grandchildren of the Yang family to sit for the civil service examination; being literate and able to write is enough. If they could delve into some scholarly pursuits, then all the better.

"What reward does great-grandfather have?" Yang Qinyuan, his large eyes shining, looked eagerly at Yang Zhenshan, appearing very expectant.

Yang Zhenshan's lips slightly curled in a smile, and with a wave of his hand, as if by magic, produced a bunch of purple grapes.

"How's this?"

Yang Qinyuan's eyes brightened further, "Qinyuan wants to eat!"

The little fellow has always loved eating grapes ever since he was young.

Yang Zhenshan placed the grapes before him, and the child began eating them eagerly like a little hamster.

Meanwhile, the maids and servants in attendance began to clear the dining table of dishes, bringing in plates of fruit in their stead.

Since telling Yu Qingyi about the existence of the Spiritual Spring Space, Yang Zhenshan was not as vigilant in concealing it as he used to be.

Sometimes he would produce various items and even some off-season fruits and vegetables.

Of course, he wouldn't explain to anyone where these things came from; if someone asked, he would just say, 'Why ask so many questions? Just eat if it's given to you.'

In the Yang family, naturally, no one would dare to question him. After a while, the Yang family members became accustomed to it.

However, in the presence of outsiders, Yang Zhenshan would still be cautious and not so reckless as to expose the existence of the Spiritual Spring Space.

After the meal came the fruit, while the group casually chatted as they ate.

"Chengmao!" Yang Zhenshan looked towards Chengmao.

Yang Chengmao, who was peeling an apple for his wife, swiftly raised his head upon hearing the call.

Yang Chengmao was peeling an apple for his wife, who was at that moment helping their son, Yang Qinyong, eat grapes.

Yang Qinyong, nearly four years old, was also a robust little fellow.

And at this time, the Xue Family matriarch was heavily pregnant, expected to bless the Yang family with a new addition in October.

Yang Zhenshan said, "In your elder brother's absence, you are responsible for educating Qinyuan. When Qin Yong grows a bit older, the two children will go to primary school together for their early education!"

"Do not spoil them; our family does not raise wastrels!"

After speaking, he also glanced at Ms. Wang. Ms. Wang shrank her head low and didn't dare say half a word.

As for Yang Mingcheng, this fellow was joyfully munching on a huge watermelon, completely unconcerned about his own wife being chastised by her father.

Humph, for all the times you've been fierce to me!

Now that my dad is here, let's see if you still dare to be fierce!

Yang Chengmao cast a quick look at his large aunt who was acting like a quail and promptly responded: "Grandfather is right, I'll properly educate Qinyuan!"

Yang Zhenshan nodded in satisfaction.

With Yang Chengye not at home, Yang Qinyuan's upbringing must not be neglected, and Yang Chengmao was just right for the job.

"Mingcheng, you will accompany me to the palace for an audience with the Emperor tomorrow!" Yang Zhenshan continued.

"Ah!" Yang Mingcheng looked up, astonished.

"The time has come for you to inherit the noble title," Yang Zhenshan said calmly.

"Dad, why is that?" Yang Mingcheng was both surprised and uneasy.

"It's nothing, you don't need to concern yourself with other matters; just prepare to inherit the title!"

Yang Zhenshan did not provide further explanations mainly because it was too troublesome to explain, and also because Yang Mingcheng might not understand.

The members of the Yang family were all visibly puzzled, but since Yang Zhenshan offered no explanation, they dared not inquire further.